Parents, community of Huntington teen who died in snow tubing accident keep his legacy alive

HUNTINGTON (WABC) -- The parents of a Long Island teenager who was killed while snow tubing in Huntington are speaking out exclusively to Eyewitness News.

Seventeen-year-old Sean Urda and two friends were taking turns tubing down Chester Court when the John Glenn High School senior apparently lost control and struck light pole.

He was rushed to Huntington Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

"We got a phone call, and our world changed," mom Nicole Urda said.

She and husband Gary Urda are still grappling with the unimaginable loss of their son, an honor student and star soccer player.

"We're living life one breath at a time," Gary said. "And no parent should have to go through this."

Thankfully, they did not have to go through it alone. The John Glenn community has been there for them every step of the way.

"After the funeral, they came back here," principal Dr. Jim Ruck said. "I mean, there must've been 400 people here."

The school was the first sign of hope for the Urdas, and it would be a comfort, repeatedly.

"They've had a pickleball tournament at the high school," Nicole said. "They've done a volleyball-a-thon. They've raised money through the lacrosse tournament."

And fittingly, there will be a concert Saturday evening with Sean's favorite music.

"The students are performing the songs, and then also the teachers are doing a performance," classmate Tom Priest said. "Also, they have a teachers' band."

It's been nearly three months since the deadly and tragic accident, but throughout the pain, there has been strength in the community. And so far, they've raised nearly $80,000 for three separate scholarships in Sean's name.

"You can learn the value of a person by the lives they touched," Gary said.

And there is no doubt Sean Urda will touch many in the future.

To donate to the Sean Urda Memorial Soccer Scholarship fund, visit GoFundMe.com/Sean-Urda.

Potential applicants can apply for the scholarship at SeanUrda14.org/scholarship.